Display system with a flexible display

ABSTRACT

A display system includes a continuous flexible display, two book halves, two main display supports, and a movement synchronizing coupling. The two book halves is connected to each other via a hinge mechanism. The hinge mechanism has two hinges, and each hinge is rotatable about respective axis. Each of the two main display supports connects to one of the two book halves and is configured to support the flexible display. The coupling is connected to the two main display supports and rotating about a rotation axis that is parallel to the axis of hinge to enable a synchronized movement of the two main display supports.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation application of prior application Ser. No. 16/875,430, filed on May 15, 2020, which application is a continuation application of prior application Ser. No. 16/181,924, filed on Nov. 6, 2018, which has issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,659,584 on May 19, 2020, which application is a continuation application of prior application Ser. No. 15/608,221, filed on May 30, 2017, which has issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,154,124 on Dec. 11, 2018, which is a divisional application of prior application Ser. No. 14/586,792, filed on Dec. 30, 2014, which has issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,696,763 on Jul. 4, 2017, which is a divisional application of prior application Ser. No. 13/569,080, filed on Aug. 7, 2012, which has issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,971,031 on Mar. 3, 2015, the entire disclosure of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to flexible displays. The present invention specifically relates to flexible displays provided with display supports.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

A number of product concepts have been developed for flexible/rollable displays with a pair of display supports mutually connected by a hinge mechanism. Examples of these concepts are the ‘book’ and the ‘wrap’, a ‘wrap’ concept is shown in WO 2008/054206 A2.

The ‘book’ concept is the simplest implementation of a rollable display comprising two hingeably connected supports with a continuous display. In the middle near the hinge mechanism is a hollow space to accommodate the curved segment of the display in the situation where the ‘book’ is in the closed position. The display size is at most twice the size of the closed display system. In practice, it will be around 1.8× the size due to the bezel of the support halves needed around the display.

The ‘wrap’ concept comprises a display with two hingeably connected supports, wrapped in the closed position with its front side to the inside. In the known concept the display makes one complete turn around the device body when wrapped. Therefore, the size of the display is about twice the size of the device. For larger displays compared to the device body more turns are required, which adds mechanical complexity.

In these concepts each hinge mechanism comprises two hinges being mutually located at a distance. In practice for these concepts a double hinge mechanism is preferred above a single hinge mechanism. A double hinge mechanism shows the advantage of a smaller width of the display system (measured in closed position), whereas in the open position the hinge shafts are located below the flexible display. Each of the pair of hinges is configured for substantially 90° rotation of a respective one of the display supports, whereas the display supports are rotatable between a configuration for fixing the flexible display in a closed storage position and a planar configuration for fixing the flexible display in an open position. If during movement to the open position the user rotates one of the display supports with respect to the hinge mechanism over an angle substantially larger than the other display support, this difference between the rotations can result in problems with the flexible/rollable display in the area of the hinge mechanism. In this area locally the internal stress in the layers of the display may become too high and/or the display may be curved into a curvature at a too small radius. Such excessive stress and/or too small radius curvature creation may damage the display and decrease the lifetime of the display.

It is an object of the invention to prevent local excessive stress in the flexible display as well as curvature at a too small radius during movement of the display between closed and open position. It is also an object to improve the lifetime of the display.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect the invention provides a display system comprising:

a continuous flexible display,

at least two frame parts, each housing a main display support, said supports being hingeable with respect to each other and each structurally configured to support a respective portion of the flexible display, wherein the two main display supports are rotatable in opposite directions, connected to each other by a hinge mechanism comprising two hinges being mutually located at a distance, each of the hinges being configured for rotation of a respective one of the main display supports, the main display supports being rotatable between a configuration for fixing the flexible display in a closed storage position and a planar configuration for fixing the flexible display in an open position, wherein the two main display supports are coupled to each other by a movement synchronizing coupling, said coupling enabling during movement between the closed and open position a mutual substantially synchronized rotating of the main display supports at substantially equal but oppositely directed angles.

Due to this synchronized rotating of the main display supports at substantially equal angles, excessive local stress in the display and/or a curvature at a too small radius in the display will be prevented, thus improving the lifetime of the display. Another advantage of the display system in accordance with the invention is the comfortable synchronized movement of both display supports, giving the user the feeling of opening with rotation around only one hinge. A further advantage is the stable positioning of the main display supports in the open and closed position, making additional locking action superfluous for the user in these positions of the display system.

According to another aspect the invention provides a display system wherein the movement synchronizing coupling that comprises spring means providing spring forces on both main display supports to move the display system into the open or closed position respectively. Preferably the spring means are part of an over center mechanism that, due to the spring force after movement to the open respectively closed end position, stably positions the display system in either end position.

According to another aspect of the invention the movement synchronizing coupling comprises at least one pair of wheels arranged near the hinge mechanism, each being connected with a display support, said wheels being mutually coupled for rotation in opposite directions.

In a preferred embodiment the movement synchronizing coupling is coupled with at least one additional display support, configured to support substantially a segment of the flexible display located between the said respective portions of the flexible display in the open position, said additional display support being movable by the coupling with the movement synchronizing coupling with respect to the display segment between a non-operational position and a support position when the two main display supports are moved between the storage position and the open position of the flexible display, such that in the open position substantially the whole surface of the display is supported by the respective display supports.

Reference is made to the non pre-published application U.S. 61/506,177, filed Jul. 11, 2011, (herewith incorporated by reference).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first ‘book’ embodiment in an open position, in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a cross sectional view of the ‘book’ embodiment of FIG. 1 in an open position;

FIG. 3 shows a cross sectional view of the ‘book’ embodiment of FIG. 1 in a closed position;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a second ‘book’ embodiment in a closed position, accordance with the invention;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of part of the ‘book’ embodiment of FIG. 4 in an open position;

FIG. 6 shows a side view of part of the ‘book’ embodiment of FIG. 4 in an open position;

FIG. 7 shows a side view of part of the ‘book’ embodiment of FIG. 4 in a closed position;

FIGS. 8 a-8 f show a perspective view and a schematic side view of another ‘book’ embodiment in an open position (FIG. 8 a/b), a partial open position (FIG. 8 c/d) and a storage position (FIG. 8 e/f), respectively, in accordance with the invention;

FIGS. 9 a-9 b show a schematic view of a part of another ‘book’ or ‘wrap’ embodiment in a side view (FIG. 9 a ) and a top view (FIG. 9 b ), respectively, in accordance with the invention;

FIGS. 10, 11 show a schematic side view of part of two other ‘book’ or ‘wrap’ embodiments in a closed position, in accordance with the invention; and

FIGS. 12 a-12 g show a perspective view of another ‘book’ embodiment in an closed position (FIG. 12 a ), in an open position (FIG. 12 b ), as well as a view of parts of the movement synchronizing coupling in this embodiment (FIGS. 12 c-12 g ) in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is a ‘book’ display system 1 with two book halves, comprising a flexible display 2, extending continuously over both halves and a support frame, comprising in each of the book halves a main display support 3, 4 respectively, being connected at both sides of the system 1 by hinges 5, 6, respectively, of a hinge mechanism 7 and each being structurally configured to support a respective portion of the flexible display 2. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the two main display supports 3, 4 are mutually hingeable around their hinges 5, 6 between a planar configuration (FIG. 2 ) for fixing the flexible display 2 in an open position and a configuration for fixing the flexible display in a closed storage position (FIG. 3 ).

Between the respective hinge 5, 6 and the respective display support 3, 4 first additional display supports 8, 9, are configured rotatably around axes 8 a, 9 a and connected with the display support 3, 4. Between the pair of first additional display supports 8, 9 a second pair of additional display supports 10, 11 are arranged linked with a central additional display support 12 and rotatable around the axis 5, 6 respectively. Together, the additional display supports 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 in the open position close the gap created by the hinge mechanism 7 between the main supports 3, 4. Thus in the open position substantially the whole surface of a central display segment 2 a located between the display supports 3, 4 is supported. These additional display supports 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 are movably arranged in the support frame of the display system 1 with respect to the central display segment 2 a between a non-operational position and a support position when the two main display supports 3, 4 are moved between the storage position and the open position of the flexible display.

In accordance with the present invention the two main display supports 3, 4 are coupled to each other by a movement synchronizing coupling, enabling during movement between the closed and open position a mutual substantially synchronized rotating of the main display supports 3, 4 at substantially equal but oppositely directed angles.

This movement synchronizing coupling comprises at both sides of the support frame a pair of cams 13, 14, rotatably mounted in the support frame around axes 13 a, 14 a, extending substantially parallel with the axes 5, 6. The cams are coupled with the first pair of additional display supports 8, 9 and a pair of levers 15, 16, coupled with the central additional display support 12. During movement of the main display supports 3, 4 from the position shown in FIG. 3 towards the open position of FIGS. 1, 2 , the central display support is lifted up and at the same time the two linked additional supports 10, 11 are turned down around the axis 5, 6 respectively. The additional display supports 8, 9 are turned up around their axes 8 a, 9 a respectively and are pushed upwardly and are stably positioned in the open position of FIG. 2 by notches 13 b, 14 b at the cams 13, 14. All moving parts are moved to the same level to support the display segment 2 a. During movement to the closed position of FIG. 3 the supports 3, 4 are closed, the central support 12 is moved down, the two additional supports 10, 11 are turned up and the other supports 8, 9 are turned down. All moving parts are moved away from the centre bottom area to increase space for the folding display storage (see FIG. 3 ). The movement synchronizing coupling of the cams 13, 14, the supports 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and the levers 15, 16 enable in an effective way a mutual substantially synchronized rotating of the main display supports 3, 4 at substantially equal but opposite angles and synchronized movement of the additional display supports 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 between their support position and non-operational position.

Due to this synchronized rotating of the main display supports at substantially equal angles, excessive local stress in the display and/or a too small radius of curvature in the display will be prevented, thus improving the lifetime of the display. Another advantage of the display system in accordance with the invention is the comfortably synchronized movement of both display supports, giving the user the feeling of opening with rotation around only one hinge. A further advantage is the stable positioning of the main display supports in the open and closed position, making additional locking actions superfluous for the user in these positions of the display system.

In the storage position of the flexible display 2 shown in FIG. 3 , between the main display supports 3, 4 and the additional display supports 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 there is sufficient free space for enabling a partial curvature of the display segment 2 a without conflicting with the respective main display supports.

In the open position between display supports 3, 4 the display segment 2 a is supported by the additional supports when touched. This means that damage of the display is prevented when touch functionality is added to the display. Another advantage is that sagging of the display is prevented. The display will be perceived as stiffer which gives a better quality perception of the display system.

Also the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4-7 is a ‘book’ display system 1 with a number of parts substantially identical to the number of parts of the first embodiment. It consists of a continuous flexible display 2 housed in two housing halves and a support frame, comprising two main display supports 3, 4, each located in a housing halve and being connected at both sides of the system 1 by hinges 5, 6, of a hinge mechanism 7 and each structurally configured to support a respective portion of the flexible display. As shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 7 the two main display supports 3, 4 comprise arms 3 a, 4 a connected with hinges 5, 6 respectively. The supports are mutually hingeable around their hinges 5, 6 between a planar configuration (FIGS. 5, 6 ) for fixing the flexible display 2 in an open position and a configuration for fixing the flexible display in a closed storage position (FIGS. 4 and 7 ). A difference with the first embodiment is the application at the location of both hinge mechanisms 7 of a torsion spring 17 with legs 17 a, 17 b connected with their free ends with the arms 3 a, 4 a. Each of the torsion springs 17 passes with its legs 17 a, 17 b during movement of the housing halves between the open and closed position through a plane comprising the axes of the hinges 5, 6 and moves from one to the other side of this plane. Thus the torsion springs act as part of an over center mechanism. The torsion springs 17 also provide spring force via the arms 3 a, 4 a on the main display supports 3, 4, forcing these supports to the planar configuration and via the main display supports on the central display segment 2 a of the flexible display to pre-stretch the central display segment 2 a at the open position. The spring forces of the two torsion springs 17 between the two book halves keep the book stably positioned in the open and closed positions.

In this embodiment the movement synchronizing coupling comprises a pair of gear mechanisms 18 with teethed segments 19, 20 on both display supports 3, 4 which are engaged to each other, enabling a synchronized rotating of the main display supports at substantially equal but oppositely directed angles and synchronized movement of the additional display supports 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 when the two book halves are opened or closed. Due to the coupling between the legs 17 a, 17 b and the additional supports 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 the springs 17 also keep these supports stably positioned in their position supporting the display segment 2 a in the open position of the book halves.

Also in this embodiment of the invention, sufficient space is available for the construction of the double hinges 5, 6, two torsion springs 17 and the gear mechanisms 18 and for enabling a partial curvature of the display segment 2 a in the closed position without conflicting with the respective main display supports. Preferably in this closed position the additional support plate 12 facilitates by its stable positioning a pre-defined curvature of the display segment 2 a with an advantage for the lifetime of the display.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 a-8 f in a ‘book’ display system 1 the central display segment 2 a is supported by additional display supports comprising a central support plate 33 and two hingeably connected display support plates 34, 35. The central support plate 33 is used as dual guided hinge part for the two display supports 3, 4 which are coupled by gears 36, 37. The gears are rotatable around the respective hinge axis and connected with the respective display support and act as a movement synchronizing coupling between both book halves and enable a synchronized rotating of the main display supports 3, 4 at substantially equal but oppositely directed angles and synchronized movement of the additional display supports 33, 34 and 35. The support plates 34, 35 each have a pin 34 a, 35 a that is guided in a slot 3 b, 4 b respectively, in each of the display supports 3, 4 of the device body. These slots 3 b, 4 b guide the movement of the plates 34, 35 in such a manner that in open position of FIGS. 8 a and 8 b the display segment 2 a is completely supported and in closed position of FIGS. 8 e and 8 f the curved display segment 2 a is not obstructed. FIGS. 8 c and 8 d show an intermediate situation. Preferably in the closed position the plates 33, 34 and 35 facilitate by their positioning a predefined curvature of the display segment 2 a with an advantage for the lifetime of the display.

The embodiment schematically shown in FIGS. 9 a and 9 b shows relevant parts of a ‘book’ display system 1 with a hinge mechanism 39 and main display supports 40, 41. These main supports are hingeably connected via hinges 5, 6 like the supports in the preceding embodiments. The hinges 5, 6 are the axle for pulleys or wheels 42, 43 connected to the support 40, 41 respectively. The pulleys are guiding a spring or belt 44. As shown in FIG. 9 b the belt is guided on a crossing way such that the combination of pulleys 42, 43 and belt 44 couples the supports 40, 41 for rotation in opposite directions and acts as a movement synchronizing coupling between both book halves and the additional support plates (not shown). Opening of the left support 40 in FIG. 9 a in the direction of arrow a results into movement of the belt 44 near the pulley 42 in the direction b, of the belt near the pulley 43 in the direction c and thus in an opening of the right support 41 in the direction d with the same degree of opening of both supports 40, 41.

The embodiments schematically shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 show alternative solutions for the synchronized coupling of the book halves in opposite directions in the embodiment of FIGS. 9 a-9 b . In FIG. 10 an alternative solution is shown with a connecting rod 44 between the wheels 42, 43. In FIG. 11 another alternative solution is shown with a connecting belt 45, guided between guiding walls 46 a, 46 b.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 12 a-12 g the display system 1 comprises two book halves 50, 51, connected by a hinge mechanism 52 with at both ends parts two hinges 53, 54. The book halves 50, 51 are provided in the hinge area with teeth or extensions 55, 56 with free ends located substantially halfway between the book halves. An elongated spring 57 extends between the end parts of the hinge mechanism 52. As shown in detail in FIGS. 12 e, 12 f the spring 57 is guided through holes near the free ends of the teeth 55, 56. As shown in FIG. 12 g by way of example, the spring 57 may be configured as a coil spring 57 a or a spring wire 57 b. Opening of the book halves 50, 51 in FIG. 12 a to the open position of FIG. 12 b results in a synchronized movement of both book halves 50, 51 in the direction of arrow e, f respectively shown in detail in FIG. 12 c and a movement of the spring in the direction of arrow g. Halfway the spring moves through a plane 58 comprising hinge axes of hinges 53, 54 and expands under its spring force in the direction of arrow g (comparable with the working of an over center mechanism). The spring 57 forces via the teeth 55, 56 the book halves 50, 51 to make the same rotation and thus the same degree of opening. The same synchronization is obtained during the movement from the open position of FIG. 12 d towards the closed position of FIG. 12 c in the direction of arrow h in FIG. 12 d . In this way the teeth 55, 56 and the spring 57 act as a movement synchronizing coupling between both book halves, which move in the direction of arrows i and j respectively. In a way not shown also in this embodiment the additional display supports of the preceding embodiments may be applied, with a synchronized movement due to their connection with the movement synchronizing coupling.

The detailed drawings, specific examples and particular formulations given, serve the purpose of illustration only. Furthermore, other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A display system comprising: a flexible display; a first main display support and a second main display support that support the flexible display; a hinge mechanism rotatably connecting the first and second main display supports so that the flexible display is folded in a closed position and unfolded in an open position; and an additional display support comprising a first side unit, a second side unit, and a central unit supporting a central segment of the flexible display in the open position, wherein the first side unit and the second side unit are disposed between the first main display support and the second main display support, wherein the central unit is disposed between the first side unit and the second side unit and pivotably connected to the first and second side units by first and second cams and first and second levers, and wherein the first and second cams are coupled with the first and second side units and coupled with the first and second levers, respectively, the first and second levers being coupled with the central unit.
 2. The display system of claim 1, wherein the additional display support is pivotably connected to the first and second main display supports.
 3. The display system of claim 1, wherein the first and second side units are pivotably connected to the first and second main display supports.
 4. The display system of claim 1, wherein a first lateral end of the central unit and a second lateral end of the central unit opposite to the first lateral end of the central unit are pivotably connected to first and second lateral ends of the first and second side units, respectively, and wherein third and fourth lateral ends of the first and second side units opposite to the first and second lateral ends of the first and second side units, respectively, are pivotably connected to the first and second main display supports, respectively.
 5. The display system of claim 1, wherein the central unit moves in a first direction toward the flexible display while the flexible display is unfolded, and moves in a second direction opposite to the first direction while the flexible display is folded.
 6. The display system of claim 1, wherein the central unit, the first side unit, and the second side unit are positioned to support the central segment so that the central segment is bent at a pre-defined curvature in the closed position.
 7. The display system of claim 1, wherein the hinge mechanism comprises a first hinge axis and a second hinge axis rotatably connecting the first main display support and the second main display support, respectively.
 8. The display system of claim 1, wherein the first side unit and the second side unit extend at an angle toward each other from the first main display support and the second main display support, respectively, when the flexible display is folded in the closed position. 